Bedworth make history

Bubblng Bedworth Ex-Servicemens etched their name on the coveted Evening Telegraph Challenge Cup for the first time in their history with a stunning 4-1 defeat of favourites Coventry Marconi at Highfield Road last night.

Bubblng Bedworth Ex-Servicemens etched their name on the coveted Evening Telegraph Challenge Cup for the first time in their history with a stunning 4-1 defeat of favourites Coventry Marconi at Highfield Road last night.

And in doing so Bernie Cope's terriers completed a momentous treble after already lifting the Coventry Alliance Premier title and the Stan Oulds Cup. An ecstatic Cope was almost lost for words as his side were presented with the impressive trophy.

"It was a fantastic performance. This was our first time in the final and we were superb. This was certain-ly one of the highlights as a manager as the Telegraph Cup has always been one I wanted to win," said Cope.

"We went into the tie as underdogs but in the end I don't think anyone would begrudge us the win as we were the better side on the night."

He added: "We have a brilliant bunch of players who get on really well. The spirit is magnificent and I'm very proud of what they've achieved this season. This is very much the icing on the cake."

Cope praised his teenager keeper Andy Needham who had an excellent game in his first appearance at Highfield Road. "The lad made two outstanding saves early on that kept us in it and the experience at playing in such a game will be invaluable experience for him."

"Ex's were the better team on the night and superior in all three areas of the pitch from defence to midfield and up front.

Inside the opening minute Marconi could have gone in front when Dave Drennan burst into the area only for his effort to be blocked by the spreading Needham.

The saves proved crucial as on 25 minutes Ex's took the lead when Marc Stanley's curling 45-yard free-kick deceived keeper Chris Daffern, who allowed the ball to slip his grasp and find the net off the inside of a post.

The impressive Lee Greenway added the second in the 36th minute as he latched on to Tommy Lenton's flick to lash a low 15-yarder just inside Daffern's left-hand upright.

On the hour, Marconi cut the arrears, Jamie Towers rising high in a packed goalmouth to glance a close range header into the net from a Drennan corner but two goals in five minutes from the busy Lenton sealed Marconi's fate. The first with a slithering 15-yard drive and the second from close in following Steve Bartlett's free kick.